From Tar Pits to Treasure: Reimagining Lynn Harbor Park

From Tar Pits to Treasure: Reimagining Lynn Harbor Park

Author: Ann Gisinger June 29, 2026 Duration: 27:53

What does it take to transform a crumbling waterfront landfill and former manufactured gas plant into a signature public park? In this episode, the team behind Lynn Harbor Park (Aaron Clausen, Principal Planner with the City of Lynn, MA, Mason Sandell, Chief Commercial Officer with Charter, and Alasdair Cunningham, Director of Project Development with Charter) shares the decades-long journey of environmental cleanup, regulatory problem-solving, beneficial soil reuse, and public-private partnership that helped turn a neglected industrial site into a new gateway for community access, housing, and waterfront redevelopment.

Links from the Episode:

Lynn Harbor Park Project Page: https://lynnincommon.com/harborpark

City of Lynn – Lynn Harbor Park: https://www.lynnma.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=109810&pageId=293650

Massachusetts Municipal Association: “Lynn transforms landfill into waterfront park”: https://www.mma.org/lynn-transforms-landfill-into-waterfront-park/

Boston.com: “The Lynn waterfront was a dump. Literally. But what if it became a park?”: https://www.boston.com/news/the-boston-globe/2025/09/17/the-lynn-waterfront-was-a-dump-literally-but-what-if-it-bec

ItemLive: “Land deal powers plan for Lynn waterfront”: https://itemlive.com/2020/07/10/land-deal-powers-plan-for-lynn-waterfront/

Where to find Aaron, Mason, and Alasdair:

Aaron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-clausen-4876b919/

Mason’s Professional Page: https://charter.us/our-people/mason-sandell/

Mason’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mason-sandell-79613418/

Alasdair’s Professional Page: https://charter.us/our-people/alasdair-cunningham/

Alasdair’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alasdaircunningham/

Where to find EBC:

Webpage: https://ebcne.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/environmental-business-council-of-new-england-inc-/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLKLl6DmcaFbOwjJ2aB956g


Hosted by Ann Gisinger, Energy Environment Economy digs into the complex and critical intersections suggested by its name. This isn't a surface-level discussion; it's a deep dive into the practical challenges and innovations shaping our world, from modernizing our electrical grids and scaling renewable energy to managing stormwater and redeveloping brownfield sites. Each conversation in this podcast features thought leaders who are actively working on issues like climate adaptation, emerging contaminants, and solid waste management, providing listeners with grounded insights from the field. The discussions, presented by the Environmental Business Council of New England, move beyond theory to explore the real-world economic and policy decisions that drive environmental progress. Tuning in, you'll hear experts unpack how these technical fields directly impact communities and commerce, offering a nuanced perspective that connects scientific detail with broader societal outcomes. For anyone curious about the forces designing our sustainable future, this series provides essential context and analysis, making the vital links between energy systems, environmental health, and economic viability clear and compelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Energy Environment Economy
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